Medina breaks fast and goes to the quarterfinals in Margaret River; Chumbinho and Filipinho advance

Brazil already has a guaranteed presence at least in the semifinals of the Margaret River stage of the World Surfing Tour. The quarterfinals of the stage have been defined and a duel of giants promises to shake up the competition. Gabriel Medina ended the “curse” of not advancing from the round of 16 in the season by confirming his place to face the current world champion, compatriot Filipe Toledo, Filipinho. Leader of the season, João Chianca, Chumbinho, also secured himself among the eight, while Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira were eliminated.

Medina took to the water at Margaret River with the weight of having fallen in the Round of 16 in the first four editions of the season. Confident and concentrated, he gave no chance to the Italian Leonardo Fioravanti, scoring two points above seven points to advance without fear and “disenchant.” The wide smile when leaving the sea showed the feeling of relief and happiness.

The three-time world champion secured himself with 14.56 points (7.33 and 7.23), against only 11.60 from the opponent, who made his best score a 7.10. Now he meets Filipinho repeating the 2021 Duel of the Titans, which was guaranteed after Jordy Smith did not complete his last wave. The Brazilian’s vacancy came with a tight score of 14.20 to 13.80 against the South African.

The other Brazilian representative in the quarterfinals will be the leader of the season. Chumbinho will face Connor O’Leary, who eliminated Yago Dora in battery with the worst grades: 12.86 to 10.10.

To guarantee himself among the top eight, Chumbinho, with the yellow lycra for the first time in his career, caught a perfect wave of 8.33 points and with beautiful maneuvers he surpassed the Australian Callum Robson by 14.66 to 14.13. He will face Connor O’Leary, who eliminated Yago Dora in heat with the worst grades: 12.86 to 10.10.

Olympic champion Italo Ferreira ended up saying goodbye in the round of 16 when he was beaten by Australian Ethan Ewing (15.30 to 13.30), who will now face an excited John John Florence. After making the best score of Round 3, with 9.10 points, the Hawaiian surpassed himself with a 9.43 in the round of 16. Griffin Colapinto faces Barron Mamiya in the other heat of the quarterfinals.